The
simple ‘responsibilities’ of life, when not accomplished, oh baby…do they
bother you as they do me?
Watching
as golfers play past our condo here on the fourth hole at Eagle Crest. A
gentleman in his 70's has ‘chip' shot to the hole. While ‘duffing’ his shot, he
leaves a ‘divot' behind. He walks forward to retrieve his ball and then returns
to the divot. “He's going to replace it”. Or so I think. Oh no, he drops his
ball down in order to attempt a better shot. Now, now are you going to replace
it? Sadly, no!
The 'guilty' party :(
Though
with literally only ‘nine' holes in my golf career and little knowledge of the
game, none-the-less, I know that a ‘divot' should be returned to its place with a
slight stomp in order to secure its rightful position, properly maintaining the
course for those who will soon be playing on the same hole.
Ironically, in the past month I’ve witnessed something that unfortunately
we don't see often in current times. That is, I've watched as ten-year-old boys
act responsibly. While riding their bikes, helmets on, they stop at the
intersection. They proceed to look in all directions, I wave them by, and they
return a wave and a thank you. I don’t know if you're old enough to recall, but
this is how we operated in the sixties.
A view to enjoy...for sure!
If
not obvious … my moral to the story … let us act responsibly! Whether OLD or
young alike. And as Christians … perhaps as the Christ, we can proceed humbly with
grace and gentleness.
For
those who are actually golfers … I found this on pga.com. Just saying!
·Replace your divots.
·Turf tends to explode on impact, making it
difficult, if not impossible, to replace the divot. In this case, you have two
options:
oYou can use the toe of your shoe to kick in
the turf around the edges of the divot.
oMany courses often put containers of a
soil/seed mixture on their carts and tees. If this is the case, simply fill in
the divot with the mixture.
“It's in responsibility that most people find the meaning that sustains them through life. It's not in happiness. It's not in impulsive pleasure.” Dr. Jordan Peterson
Plus...one of scriptures most revealing stories of 'responsibility' is found in II Thessalonians 3:6-12. Let's learn to NOT be idle.
Oh...and p.s. ~ I just saw another 70 something golfer do the 'right' thing with his divot. And I say, 'Yes'!!
“Rick, I’d like you to consider
going to Liberia or Uganda”. Africa, I thought. Let me pray about that. I remember
the challenge from Ron Hays as if it was yesterday. To be honest, Africa had
never been a place that I’d given much thought to. Not that I had anything
against Africa, rather, several places had always been on my radar, and Africa
was not one of them. As far as praying about this trip, honestly, I don’t
recall putting much energy into it. Another week would pass in October of 2004
and Ron called again, this time he said, “I’d like you to consider the Sudan as
well”. I’m not sure what changed in my perspective, but for some reason the
Sudan, and West Darfur in particular, just seemed to resonate within me.
Karen and I began to support,
then, Northwest Medical Teams (today Medical Teams International) in 1985 after
the earthquake in Mexico City. Then in 2001, I had the privilege to meet Ron
and become a contributor toward the work of NWM Teams EMS program, teaching
First Responder and EMT courses around the world. During the five years between
2002 and 2007 I was privileged to be part of three such teams. Though each one brought
significant satisfaction and educated countless men and women in developing countries, still, that experience to West Darfur, has always had the
greatest impact into my life.
When I hung up the phone that
afternoon, I looked over to Karen and mentioned Ron’s other challenge. This
time, we both began to pray. Should I go, and if I go, I would love to have a
mentor, or connection with someone that would be significant. Why the second prayer,
I’m not sure. Yet these were my, they were our prayers. Within two days I called
Ron back and said that I would be honored to go to the Sudan and began preparations.
Who would be the answer to the second prayer? Or, would the second prayer even
be answered? Perhaps I would never know.
The day after Thanksgiving I
would begin the journey which required three days before actually arriving into
the capital city of El Geneina (Al Junaynah) in West Darfur. My teammate for
the trip was a pediatric nurse from the Seattle area. Carol and I would meet in
Chicago and then continue through both London and Ammon, Jordan prior to
arriving in Khartoum, the Capital of Sudan. A two-day stay was required in
order to obtain our credentials which gave permission to travel about the country.
Prayer with James & Asabi in El Genenia
Our compound, in the capital city
of more than 200,000 people, was a collaboration of teams providing efforts
toward better water, agriculture, well-child care and our medical component. I
was shown to my home for the next month and introduced to my roommates, Kenyon,
James Sakuka and Dr. Asabi Pierre Misambo from the Congo.
The four teams of the DRC (Darfur
Relief Collaboration) were assigned to work in three different communities,
though our medical team only worked in the two of Sanidadi and Um Tagouk out of
respect of the Red Crescent who was providing medical coverage for the
community of Aserni.
Upon
our arrival and ready to work, our DRC teams were immediately placed on “stand
down” due to some heightened security risk in the direction of our travel. Those two to three days were anything but useless. First,
we were able to do some inventory and organization of our medical supplies.
Second I was able to give some instruction to Dr. Asabi in regards to two
Microsoft Office programs of ‘Word’ and ‘Excel’. What had become almost second
nature to me, was all but foreign to Asabi. I was frequently brought to smiles
watching the excitement that he was experiencing over these new tools. Later,
when Asabi made his way to the States, he would often introduce me as, “This is
my brother Rick. He taught me computer”! And I chuckle to myself, “Here I am
teaching a surgeon. Seriously?!”
Last, but far from least was the
building of relationships. As is often the case, meeting people along the way and upon your arrival most often overshadow the actual object
of the mission/operation. Learning the struggle and journey, of which had been so
etched into Asabi’s recent years … It was like listening to the life of Corrie
ten Boom herself. In the mist of the story, his excitement of how God provided through circumstance after circumstance, brought little sadness, rather it brought
great glory to our God. In the process of telling his story, Asabi would often
pause … look at me … and say, “I tell you Rick!” He would continue to weave his
story from one adventure to another and again he would pause, look up to me and
say, “I tell you Rick!”
After dinner in 2011, Santa Ana
Finally arriving in the field, we
were able to attend to hundreds of needs both in Sanidadi and Um Tagouk, where
we would set up our remote compound. The nights would be full of West Darfurian
food, of course rest, but again of most interest were the continued
conversations. During one of these nights, Asabi, telling of the wonder of our
Creator/Redeemer, he looked up to me once again and said, “I tell you Rick!”
Then in quizzical fashion, he looked in the opposite direction and again back
towards me and said, “Rick, I tell you a lot … don’t I?” Smiling I responded, “Yes,
my brother, yes you do!”
As I’m completing this blog, one in
which I’ve thought of writing multiple times over the years, emotion and tears
well up in me. Today, August 22, 2019 … nearly fifteen years from our first
encounter, my dear brother in Christ … Dr. Asabi Pierre Misambo … has become a
naturalized citizen of the United States of America.
Our first meeting with Lydia & family, July 2018
So, I repeat, “Who would be the
answer to the second prayer? Or, would the second prayer even be answered?” Oh, it has most definitely been answered. Answered in such a way, that only You Father could have designed. You, who provided the ability of a young David to
pursue over the giant. In the same way You have allowed Asabi and family to have
your provision all these years in the mist of their giants. You, our Father,
who protected Daniel in the mist of the lions’ den. You have protected my
brother until this day. You, who inspired the Apostle Paul to write to the
Romans, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing the suffering produces perseverance,
and perseverance character, and character produces hope. And hope DOES NOT
disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 ESV
And another fifteen years from
now, "I tell you Asabi" if the Lord wills, and we are found living upon this earth … that same
hope ... that very same hope shall be ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen! ... Amen!
The second song, Agnus Dei by MWS needs to be added to this blog. Asabi, James and I sung it one morning just prior to 5am prayers begun. During breakfast that morning one of the staff commented how much they enjoyed hearing worship to our Creator/Redeemer ... the Lamb of God. Yes, 'Worthy Is The Lamb'!
Ok, agoraphobia…this makes sense to me. I actually witnessed
it in a family member years ago, when she experienced a great sense of
helplessness regarding life itself and would no longer travel because of it. As
well, one day a buddy was underneath my house for a plumbing project for less
than five minutes and only feet from the entry when claustrophobia caused his
immediate retreat.
And I may even place one onto myself. Yet, if asked, I'm
pretty sure that it may well be toward the top of most in regards to phobias. It is
called ‘ophidiophobia'. Yeah right, you're making up this word. No, actually it
is the fear of snakes. Most will even run from the common garden snake. And I
must admit, I’ve stepped back quickly a time or two when found in my yard. But,
I've also been the hero a couple of times when rescuing my neighborhood
children, and even their mom 😁
As well, you can turn to, what else, but to 'phobia list dot
com', to see hundreds of phobias which have been analyzed over the years.
Yet, all of these are overshadowed by the newest, most trendy
fear of all, that is “Diafonophobia”. And yes, I just coined the word myself. I
even did the almighty ‘Google' search. And the results returned an emphatic, “Your
search – Diafonophobia – did not match any documents”. So seriously Rick, what
the heck are you saying?
Again, using ‘Google' as our search engine we see that the
term “homophobic/homophobia” was first used in 1969. And though “transphobia”
tends to be a more recent term, it actually surfaced in 1992.
Today, our culture, the media, constantly bombard us as
having one or both of these fears. When in fact, the problem lies within
themselves and “diafonophobia”. They have a fear of disagreement! It is a two-part Greek word, διαφωνεί and φόβος. Most, coming
from my position … or as the new termed used, “Talking Point”, are not afraid
of homosexual or transsexual people. Seriously, am I afraid of these folks?
Perhaps you should do some research. You would find that I along with a great
majority who have the perspective in which I hold are not afraid of either
one of the above two groups. Rather the fear lies on their behalf. They are
‘afraid’ that we “disagree” with them.
Our Founders quickly recognized the need to add to our great
constitution. And with it came the ‘Bill of Right’s’. The VERY first one … is that of the freedom of speech. Such wisdom which allows us to say, to think …
as we so choose. Yes, as a follower of Christ, I firmly believe that our speech
should always be with grace and seasoned with salt. Salt, providing a great
means, in order to savor our disagreements.
Note: This blog was in regards to the use/misuse of terms. I realize that harm and violence has occurred within people of homosexual persuasion, and some of this from professing Christians. I 100% "disagree" with those committing such. That said, just because I disagree with those who cause harm, it does not place me into a category of "fear", no more than you are afraid of me. So, might we have honest discussion, even knowing that often we will "disagree".
This phrase is used often in our
lives, but the accuracy of it could well be questioned. That said, though not
meant to indicate every single day, still the idea is that often we remember. And
that is the truth in regards to how frequently I’m reminded of my mother.
Mom's HS Grad
I was thirty years old, when my
mother, but forty-seven, died of cancer. Now thirty years later, at sixty years
of age, the memory of this great lady has yet to fade. Always on the
anniversary of her birthday, April Fools Day, and that of her death, these are times
when she is forefront in my thoughts. Then scattered throughout the year are a
picture, a story, a fragrance or a song … especially The Big Bopper’s ‘Chantilly
Lace’, or anything with Elvis, that brings Elizabeth Ann Jopp to mind.
There are many things that I
believe that she would have loved to be part of. Seeing what her children have
done with their lives. And likewise the lives of her grand and
great-grandchildren. To have had continued relationship with Karen and the spouses
of her other children. These are but a few of the ways in which she would have continued to connect and make an impact in the lives of others. And...what would have been her new hobbies? How many
graduations and weddings would she have attended? How would our relationship have grown over the years? So many questions, forever unanswered.
It’s hard to even imagine that today, the 25th of May, is actually thirty
years from the moment of her last breath. On Memorial Day myself, along with
other motorcycle buddies, will venture across the Willamette Valley in honor of
our fallen loved ones. Though I’m calling it the ‘Jeffer Memorial Day Ride’, in
honor of a fallen motorcyclist friend, mom will most definitely be one that I
remember as we pay our respects at a couple cemeteries along the way.
My hope is that for you as well, that there is
not a day, that a smile is shinning upon your face as something reminds you of
one that you once loved dearly.
Elvis and daughter...what a combo! "Take my hand, let me stand, where no one stands alone". What a beautiful thing it is when we able to stand side by side with those we love...and not be alone.
What lovely family pictures and films are shown in this video. Similar old 8 and 16mm home movies were enjoyed by many of us in the 60's. And though I imagine that Lisa Marie would have loved a different ending, don't we all have that opportunity to make better on the memories that we leave behind.
And to know that one day we can go to the 'Great Known', known in the sense that there is a place that has been prepared for us, where 'The King' ... Jesus, will take us ... to His Father's house. Oh glorious day! John chapter 14... I was just about to post this when I came across the video below. What an absolute favorite was Tim Conway, who died earlier this month, and what a tribute to him in this video. "Of all the gifts you gave me, your friendship was the best. And I'll always keep you in my heart". Amen...Amen!
The page sat blank for what seemed like an hour as I
reflected on ‘what experience (s) … event (s) changed my life?’ While I was
thinking I began a search to see what others had written online. As well, I
tried to think of movies or books that I’ve seen or read.
Perhaps I have no greater experience than that of living
this life because of a woman who dug in her heals and made life work…work for
me and my three siblings. What she did, how she gave has and will forever
change my path of life and living.
As I continued pondering and thought of my own career, one
of service. In part ... due to what I believe is a gift of God…which is service. But
as my mind wandered I remembered the day driving with dad down Soledad Canyon Highway
when we became the first upon a most horrible of accidents. There was a pickup
truck with a canopy and several children inside who were a couple miles from
their destination of Magic Mountain, the amusement park. A semi-truck had not seen
them stopped at a traffic light and plowed into them. I was thirteen; they were
seven and eight year olds and would be in their early fifties today. I don’t
think of that day often, but today as I recalled that event I realized once
again just how much that very moment changed my life.
The above thoughts are a result of reading through chapter
sixteen of the book of Acts. Talking about the apostle Paul, Luke
writes, “And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain
disciple was there, named Timothy”. The passage continues to tell of Timothy’s
upbringing, and how he would join Paul through many futures adventures and
missions.
He who never walked, began to walk!
As I read this passage I couldn’t help but wonder if Timothy
had been mentioned prior to this moment? Or, had Paul previously been to this
area? We only have to go back two chapters, approximately five years of time and
we see that Paul had fled a stoning in the town of Iconium and wound up in
Lystra. It is here that Paul happens upon a “certain man” who had been lame
since birth, never having walked. And I ask, ‘Did Timothy know this man’? As
Paul was teaching, the man was listening. And I ask, ‘Was Timothy listening as
well’? Paul then gazes upon the man and sees that he has faith to be made
well. Paul then says, “STAND up on your feet”! Then Luke says, “He JUMPED up
and walked”! Don’t know about you, but just the sight of this…I’d have to say, ‘Hallelujah’!
‘Hallelujah’! And so I ask, “Was Timothy shouting ‘hallelujah’?"
So they story continues with the town folk wanting to
worship Paul and Barnabas as god’s. The crowds even bring a sacrifice in their
behalf. But Paul and Barnabas refuse this praise saying that, “We are but men,
the same nature as you”. And so…yeah, you know my question… "Was Timothy
witnessing this as well?"
Paul, left as dead in Lystra
Well the crowds, you know crowds…they turn on Paul. They could have simply rushed Paul and his associates out of town, but no,
that would be to kind, to easy. No, the crowds in turn begin to stone Paul;
they stone him to the extent that it appears that Paul is dead. And once again, "Was Timothy watching this behold before his very eyes?" To be presumed or
appear to be dead…this had to be an awful beating, an awful sight to have seen.
And Timothy, he may have been the age that I was when the semi plowed into that
pickup. It’s not a sight you soon forget. No, it’s a sight you NEVER forget.
The impact (no pun intended) changes you, who you are, where you go from that
point forward.
In a similar vane as the tomb, or to the man who was the
subject of this story, or as Paul Harvey would site, “Now for the rest of the
story”. Acts fourteen twenty continues, “While the disciples stood around him,
he arose and entered the city.” Now, wait a second! Paul…appeared…to be…dead!
He was dead! Luke doesn’t provide sufficient time to even begin to grieve in
the story. Were there minutes, maybe even an hour before Paul arose? Or
perhaps, he just arose. But if it was the prior, I could see Luke being so
excited of what just transpired that his pen could not delay ... And so, Luke was
shouting, ‘Hallelujah’! Hallelujah indeed!
If Timothy was at this scene, had he walked away after the
beating? Was he distressed that this man who had given someone from his own
town, a man who had never walked, a new lease on life? Did he hear from others
what took place after he walked away with his heart deeply grieved? Or perhaps
he saw with his own eyes Paul standing up from this death defying experience?
Either way, I must ask, “How was Timothy changed from these amazing events”?
Timothy would never, no never forget this moment.
So, five years later … “There was a certain disciple”.
Timothy…had become…a follower of not Paul, rather the one for whom Paul taught,
He in whom the tomb was left empty.
I believe that it is very possible that Timothy was a
witness to the events that day in Lystra nearly two thousand years ago, an
event that forever changed how he lived. Sure he was raised in a ‘God-fearing’
home, but as we all too often have seen, that is not enough. Timothy
experienced something that made him a disciple.
You and I … we may never have this kind of experience, but
the same One who left the tomb empty … the same One who empowered Paul the
ability to give this man a new ‘walk’ on life (pun intended!), is the One who
can change you forever.
From this blog my hope is to continue to pursue that
direction that Timothy took. I want to follow his steps and the instruction
that Paul would give while writing two letters to one he called ‘son’. How many
blogs and how often will the life of Timothy find their way into this blog? Don’t
know! I just know that I get excited when I think about what Timothy, a young
man, a boy, might have experienced that day and how that experience forever CHANGED
the entire course of his life.
No ‘April Fools’ here, I read
that the 2014 Tax Code had 73,954 pages. Apparently, our CPA hasn’t read them
all. Just saying 😊
So, if there wasn’t enough
craziness to prove once again why I made an edit to one of my key ‘life
mantra’s’, our ‘not-so-friend’ IRS, has provided one more. First my mantra was:
“Simplicity, Flexibility and Availability”. That mantra later was changed to:
“Simplicity (complexity happens), Flexibility and Availability”. Maybe it’s
‘too’ obvious to not expect that ‘IRS’ and ‘Complexity’ are often synonyms.
'Taxable Amount' ... same as 'Gross Distribution'
The year 2019 is the fourth year
that we’ve utilized part of the 2006 ‘Pension Protection Act’, that is
particular to “Public Safety Officers”. (See page 18 of the 'Summary of the Pension Protection Act of 2006' and 'Distributions to Public Safety Officers). Those included within this cadre are, “Law
enforcement officer, firefighter, chaplain, or a member of a rescue squad or ambulance
crew”.
The PPA allows a member to draw
up to $3,000 from an eligible retirement plan and to be used toward medical
expenses “tax free”. For myself I use our 457. For the years 2016 and 2017 I made
distributions for both the PPA and for additional expenses. But in 2018 we I only made a draw for the $3,000 PSO distribution. So you can imagine my surprise when I looked at our
1099-R from our financial institution for all three years, and see that line 1 ‘Gross Distribution’
and line 2a ‘Taxable Amount’ are identical. So the initial obvious thought
was that our 1099-R was completed incorrectly by the company. Oh no, that would
be to easy. No, in fact this is the method in which the IRS has set this up.
How do I know this? I’m glad you
asked. Go to the ‘Instructions for Forms 1099-R’ and scroll down to ‘Box 2a
Taxable Amount’. There you find that the 1099-R is NOT to reduce the ‘$3,000
exclusion’. Common sense says, “This would be a great place to reduce an amount
that you’re not going to be required to pay taxes on. For it says, “Taxable
Amount”, but no, again this would be to easy.”
So Rick, what’s the BOTTOM LINE?
When you make a draw from your financial institution, they do not withhold taxes. But, when you receive your 1099-R the $3,000 IS included in
both your ‘Gross distribution’ and ‘Taxable amount’. So…in order to not pay
taxes YOU MUST reduce the ‘Taxable
amount’ somewhere. And our friend the IRS has decided that in 2017 and prior
that you would make this distinction on Line 16 of Form 1040, ‘Pensions and
annuities’. In 2018 the line is changed to ‘4’ and called, ‘IRA’s, pensions,
and annuities’. As stated in Publication 575, not to be mistaken with Publication
757 (how to pass a kidney stone tax-free), page 6 says, “reduce the amount ($3,000) on Form
1040, line 4b”. Then you add, “PSO” adjacent and walla, you’re done.
Seriously, how difficult was that?
Honestly, I’m pretty sure that the IRS has been smoking something funny for much longer than it has been allowed in Oregon. Totally dude!
Reduce '4a' by $3,000 place into '4b' and write 'PSO' to the left
Anyway, it’s just possible that
your CPA is not aware of the above information. Please let them (and our fellow PSO's) know, make your
appropriate amendments, save some taxes and … have yourself a skinny salted caramel latte without
cream.
What began of all places on a
basketball court, 
Bible
college and degree, 
